Molding strips for a luggage case



Feb. 20, 1962 F. M. STOREY 3,021,930

MOLDING STRIPS FOR A LUGGAGE CASE Filed Jan. 26, 1960 INVENTOR FREDERICK M- STOREY United rates 3,021,930 MIBLDENG STREPS FGR A LUGGAGE CASE Frederick M. Storey, 1434 Charles St., Vancouver, jrltlsh Qolumhia, Canada Filed den. 26, 196%), Ser. No. 4,819 1 (fill. wit -41) My invention relates to improvements in molding strips for a luggage case.

The objects of the invention are to provide a molding or binding strip which may be sewn to a luggage case to protect the edges and other parts from excessive wear or damage by impact; to provide means whereby the rows of stitching are concealed from view and are also shielded from abrasion, and to provide a strip which will serve to enhance the appearance of the case without materially adding to the cost.

These and other objects will appear in the following specification and be shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a suitcase fitted with the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged section taken on the line 22 of FIGURE 1.

FZGURE 3 is a perspective view of a modified form of the molding strip.

In the drawings like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in each figure.

The molding or binding strip indicated generally by the numeral it; is preferably formed of a suitable plastic material which is both tough and pliable so as to be able to withstand extremely hard usage. A strip of such material may be conveniently formd by an extrusion process which will provide a substantially flat ribbon-like base portion 12 having an outer face 14 and parallel side edges 16 which are rounded as shown in FIGURE 2. On the outer face 14 adjacent each side edge 16 an integral channel 18 is formed, which channel has side walls 19 and a top wall 2d. The top wall 26 is disposed in parallel relation to the base portion 12 and is provided with a centrally located slot 21.

In the modification shown in FIGURE 3 the molding strip 25 is also of extruded plastic and has a base portion 26 and an outer face 27. A bead 28 is formed on the face 27 along the side edge 29 and the other side edge of the strip 25 is inwardly turned as at 30. At a point intermediate the width of the portion 26 of the modified strip an integral channel 32 is formed, which channel has a curved wall 34 provided with a central slot 35.

The molding strip FIGURE 2, is particularly intended for use on hand luggage such as the suitcase BfiZLQEd Patented Feb. 20, 1962 ice shown in FiGURE 1. A luggage case of this type has side Walls 41, end Walls 42., a top wall 43 and a bottom Wall 44-. The side Walls 41 are disposed generally at right angles to the remaining walls of the case and where the several walls meet, edges 46 are formed which are protected from wear by means of the strip 10. The molding strip is folded over the edges 46 as illustrated in FIG- URE 2 and is secured to the case preferably by means of sewing. By entering the pressure foot 48 of the sewing machine into each channel 18 a row of stitching 49 is applied to the base portion 12 beneath the top wall 21? of said channel. It will be noticed that, in order to accommodate the pressure foot 48, the normally closed slots 21 will be opened somewhat but the plastic material is sufficiently elastic to permit the top wall 2% to resume its original position immediately behind the advancing pressure foot and again the slots will be closed. Thus the stitching will be completely hidden from view and protected from wear within the channel.

The modified strip 25 is similarly applied to any part of alluggage case which is subjected to abnormal wear, for example, it may be secured along the meeting edges of the molded lid panel 51 and the lid frame 52 of a case. In this position the inwardly turned edge 39 of the molding strip will be disposed beneath the outwardly projecting edge of the lid panel 51 and the stitching 54 Will eXtend through the lid panel and frame in the manner shown. Again the stitching will be invisible and shielded from wear and the case itself will be protected from damage by the molding strip.

What I claim as my invention is:

A molding strip for a luggage case, said strip comprising a flat ribbon-like base portion having parallel side edges, an integral channel superposed upon the base portion adjacent each side edge, each of said channels having side walls and a top wall disposed in parallel relation to the base portion, said top walls each being spaced above the base portion and having a centrally disposed longitudinal slot and said strip being secured to the case by a row of stitching applied to the base portion beneath each of the channel top walls.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 677,411 Greacen July 2, 1901 1,588,165 Burchess June 8, 1926 1,866,483 Gtten July 5, 1932 1,908,671 Hossfeld May 9, 1933 2,057,345 Pullen Oct. 13, 1936 2,197,986 Pullen Apr. 23, 1940 2,516,551 Cheuoweth July 25, 1950 

